Fixing The Problem

In the wake of the disturbances that occurred at the football match pitting Kenya’s top two teams in terms of achievement and popularity, there have been knee jerk reactions that have predictably taken place. There have been a myriad of commentaries about the matter. The best thing though would be to take a deeper analysis if we are to get to the root cause of the problem and to offer solutions that ensure the repeat of such terrible incidents don’t recur.

In summary, Gor Mahia’s Ali Abondo was red carded by referee Davies Omweno in the 64^th minute of the match and Gor fans did not agree with the referee’s decision. They threw projectiles on the pitch leading to the stoppage of the match for over twenty minutes.

The police lobbed tear gas at Gor fans most of whom cleared from the stadium. The match eventually resumed thereafter when the pitch had been cleared of the stones by the Gor players and other security officials.

After the match, the Gor coach John Bobby Ogolla blamed the referee for having been lenient on Leopards players whose tackles had put his players out of the game. One Gor official was quoted, amidst the mayhem that had ensued, to say he was hoping the gate collection was huge due to the crowd that had turned up. 

Leopards appealed to the football authorities to award them the match amongst a host of demands and the football governing body in the country swiftly moved to suspend the in-charge of security GMT Otieno. The Sports Stadia Management Board suspended Gor from using its facilities foe a year whilst a decision is still pending from the Kenya Premier League on the appeal by Leopards and on the threats issued by  Claws Trust, a supporters trust of Leopards fans, to institute legal action against the culpable parties.

But in the face of all these developments, there are issues that should be clear and which if addressed could go a long way into curbing the menace at the stadium that has been long with us and which we shouldn’t pretend to have begun just the other day.

Historically, matches between the two teams have always been high tension matches and clashes have taken place inside and outside the stadium. That is not in dispute. However, Gor seems to have a greater percentage of violence related incidents than Leopards. This necessitated a Ministerial Statement in Parliament when on July 25, 1985, the Minister of Culture and Social Services Kenneth Matiba declared that, “Mr. Speaker Sir, regrettably, it appears that it is the supporters of Gor Mahia Football Club who, more often than not, cause trouble.”

It is now folklore that whenever the two teams meet, there is bound to be some security risk. In the book, ‘How To Be a Kenyan’, former Nation columnist Wahome Mutahi dedicated a chapter called ‘A Piece of Leather’ to what one should expect when Leopards play Gor. In it he says: Should your team lose, that to you has nothing to do with the quality of the team, even if it played like a bunch of kindergarten kids. Blame the referee and as usual mete out instant punishment by rushing to the pitch to punch him. Then start throwing stones at anything in sight, particularly if it is mobile.

That a book published in 1996 still has relevance to what happened recently shows you that there seems to have been nothing done to arrest what was happening all those years ago. In the here and now, Supersport has taken Gor off the screens, SSMB has banned the club from its facilities for one year and perhaps more action is forthcoming from KPL.

But what should be done rather than the usual talk with no action?

Sports Stadia Management Board

Firstly, the SSMB has been given the mandate by an Act of Parliament to manage the sports facilities in the country and the biggest of them all are Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani. Yet at the scene of the last clash, one sees great incompetence by the SSMB in management of these facilities as can be noted from the failure to have basic sports facility principles followed through.

There are no numbered seats for fans who purchase tickets to attend the matches thus it is quite difficult to identify the specific scenes of trouble of the origin of projectiles as the fans purchasing the tickets are not tied down to any seat number. When the SSMB painted the terraces to show the sitting spaces, one would have imagined the next logical step was to number the rows alphabetically for each terrace and then have a number, even if its mere concrete. So that when one buys a ticket for Terrace 7, they would then sit at Row C12 or higher up at the terraces like Row P16. This is a bare necessity.

During the match, I noticed that many fans sat on the gangways or the aisle that is at the end of the terrace which is supposed to be for movement. This can be a disaster when there is reason to evacuate the stadium and unfortunately, there are no stewards to ask fans to be seated at the space for viewing rather than on the aisle.

Due to the lack of emphasis on seating arrangements, fans dance all over the stadium and thus occupy the area between the terraces and the perimeter fence. There is nothing wrong with dancing, and as an African nation, our songs have always invariably been accompanied by dance but it is important for the SSMB to ensure the dancing takes place in the terraces. No atmosphere will be lost if fans can come up with other ways in which to express their admiration for their teams.

Speaking of evacuation of the stadium, any architect would tell you that a stadium is designed in a manner that allows the flow of fans into the stadium at a controlled pace and the instant evacuation should there be any disaster. Usually, the exits should be more than the entry points. Gor fans were put at a serious risk when the police fired tear gas and expected them to run out of the stadium though the few entry points that had been opened. This stadium has lost a lot of fans and it is time there was emphasis on security of the fans and players before some actions such as lobbying tear gas at fans are taken.

There are usually loud speakers during national holidays at the stadium but during the recent match, the tannoy announcer wasn’t heard across the stadium. It is obvious that if the stadium was to be evacuated, the announcements would not reach all the fans as I later heard that there was indeed a loud-speaker at the Main Stand which wasn’t however heard across the stadium.

One point which has been raised by the Gor Secretary General is that there were stones aplenty in the stadium. It is embarrassing for the SSMB to be collecting huge figures of money from teams (and it is reputed they collected as high as Kshs. 800,000 during this match) and yet do little in terms of managing the facility. Clearing debris and rubbish should be a continuous exercise that goes on every time so that by the time people are being admitted to the stadium, the stadium is habitable and safe.

It is apparent that the safety of fans and players is not well taken care of by the SSMB. Leopards defender Abbas Kiwaalabye got injured in a previous match this season by a sprinkler point at the stadium. The stadium lawn is in a bad shape and when tackles fly, you see dust rising from the point of impact. Indeed, this may have contributed as a causa proxima to the injuries suffered by Gor players on the day. It is time this was also fixed.

Something else that should be highlighted is the decision by the SSMB to put up some extensions to the stadium by building some developments that seem to be office space outside the stadium. It is a shocking decision because some of these extensions are so close to the outer perimeter fence and may affect the flow of fans into and out of the stadium. The extensions are currently taking place near Gate 2 and Gate 3 which as we all know was the point at which seven fans lost their lives in a stampede on 23^rd October 2010. It is my prayer that when making these extensions, the safety of fans has been considered and that this isn’t another venture to make money at the expense of fans security.

So before the SSMB starts making judgments about other people such as the Gor fans, it is time they also removed the log in their eyes. Leopards fans who will continue to use the facility will still be at risk (though with the high risk match against Gor now removed from the stadium) and will still end up being punished for no fault of their own during this recent match.

It is even rumoured that the stadium does not have any emergency power generator and that if there is a black-out, then a match is abandoned. How callous can the administrators be when they are receiving such huge amounts in gate collections?

With the blundering SSMB, it is a high time both Leopards and Gor bought or built their own stadia where they have full control of the stadium security and safety instead of merely donating money (a whopping 15% of the total collections) to a bottomless pit which is the SSMB.

Police

The role of the police also should come under scrutiny for their actions have the effect of either quelling the violence or exacerbating the situation. Looking at Gor fans, having to run over barriers at the stadium in fleeing from the tear gas makes one wonder if there was any co-ordination with SSMB personnel and security officers before lobbing tear gas at the fans. Stampedes are made out of such decisions and one needs to ensure that the get away is clear before lobbing the tear gas as fans will invariably flee from the choking fumes.

Further, in other parts of the world, people are examining the health risks of tear gas and using other means to quelling riots. There may be fans who have lung problems and who may end up with serious health risks due to the lobbing of tear gas into the crowd. Claws Trust, announced that it was made aware of one fan who had difficulties in breathing due to her asthmatic condition and had to stay on at the stadium till late before she felt better. 

Lobbing tear gas, if indeed it is the necessary option, should be a means of last resort and there is extreme danger to the safety of the other fans who are peaceful. The best resort remains apprehending the people who are throwing stones to the pitch or at other fans. 

The police need to work with the leaders of supporters groups and branches in identifying all the trouble makers and having them nabbed and prosecuted in a court of law rather than merely lob tear gas at them and let them escape. This is why the police need to make demands on the SSMB to make sure that ticket sales include people giving the names of the person for whom the ticket is purchased so that it is retained for record and security purposes.

One other blunder that the police made on the fateful match was to clear Gor fans from the inside of the stadium and let them loose on the outside from whence they threw stones back into the stadium at the Leopards fans. There were moments when Leopards fans had to hurry up to the upper terraces to avoid being stoned and a few fans suffered injury when stones were thrown by the departed fans into the stadium as those rowdy fans were still in the precincts of the stadium. That was utter disregard for the safety of the Leopards fans and players and I believe it is partially due to this that the Leopards officials insisted they were playing on under protest.

Gor fan Okil Kamaloka posted an insightful post on the Gor Facebook Page in which he also asked why there was no buffer between the fans of the opposing teams. Pre-match, there has been hype that the area above Gate 6 would be no-mans land but the police allowed the area to be occupied. The police also seemed passive even in the face of blatant breach of security for instance when a fan jumped onto the pitch. Surely there have to be some proper security measures taken by the police rather than mere posturing.

Finally, Gor officials had also indicated prior to the match that there were plans to cause violence and it is obvious that where such violence threats are reported, the police have to be informed. Did the police take any action about the claims? this is a question that one needs to look at too since merely alleging and not acting will ultimately be the face of incompetence.

Gor Mahia

As for Gor Mahia, one of the lessons that the officials of the team, and indeed many other teams in the league should realize is that the respect for match officials is mandatory. The team officials shouldn’t criticize match officials as this often creates a perception of persecution to the fans. This is why the Gor officials should apologise to the match officials for questioning their decisions.

One may have noticed that after the red card was flashed to the Abondo, Gor players surrounded the referee and disputed the call. 

Moments like this end up inflaming the decisions taken and even if the same players ended up picking up the stones and telling their fans to calm down, they players have to realize their initial actions were a contributor to the fans reaction. Leagues in other countries have had campaigns such as the RESPECT campaign that is aimed at respect for match officials and acceptance of the decisions with the option of complaining to the football authorities (and not the media) after a match.

One of the drawbacks to our football is that the clubs are still living from hand to mouth and thus they are reluctant to spend more on security and on stewards but this is one thing that Gor urgently needs to address. Leopards have introduced season tickets which as still fraught with problems especially with some matches being out of the specific home venue and with no seat allocations at the stadium but perhaps one of the ideas that should be encouraged is to have various branches being allocated sitting spaces for their members or their members friends and guests to together and therefore being responsible for those areas in the terraces.

This will assist in the identification of the trouble makers who will then be prosecuted by the state. From the various photos that were taken by the media including some showing people with SSMB property such as water tanks and some carrying stones, the Gor fraternity can actually start with the previous match to show they are committed to bring an end to the madness at the stadia.

The obsession with nabbing those with fake tickets should be handled separately and prosecutions brought against those found engaging in the racket as this endangers the security of the fans and makes the point of having seat allocation even more valid as any two people who turn up at the same seat will mean one of them is having a fake (or mistake) ticket.

Gor has had a period of highs in the recent past and it is therefore understandable that their fans have high expectations of their team which finished the 2010 season in the second position. The team was expected to win the 2011 title but finished a respectable fourth. Thus, managing the expectations is something that one need to look at so that fans of any team that is on a high, realize there will be moments when they hit some lows. It is a fair warning to Leopards fans that are now on a high to ensure they keep their cool when the down turn arrives.

Each team should be asked to prepare a match day inspection record that shows all the security arrangements that were done before the match and the inspection of all areas of the match.

Having said this, the average Gor fan, one would like to think, is a peaceful fan and in fact most photos taken before the match, the fans were happily mixing with Leopards fans.

Kenya Premier League

As for the Kenya Premier League, the delays that have always taken place when there is trouble or incidents at any match have to stop. In the end, the punishment should fit the crime. 

Recently, the Rangers coach brazenly told the media that his team had no money to pay the referees which was an attack on the integrity of the match officials. It is not clear if the coach has been sanctioned or fined.

There has to be consistent action taken against all the persons who impute improper motives on the league and its officials. Fining teams and even docking teams points should start being part of the punishments meted out. Ordering teams to play before empty stadia has not been working and thus it is important to ensure that no suspended punishments are handed out as has been the case in the past.

Shockingly, the Football Kenya Federation, which has had a series of name changes came out to say that matches in the Nairobi Derby will be officiated by foreign referees.  This was a practice that took place in the 1970s and which was long discontinued and it shows the level of desperation to be seen to act (rather than to act) that bedevils our football.

The League should engage the Sports Ministry to enact at Football Spectators Act as they did in England after the disasters of the 1980s which will provide forhefty punishments and criminalize what has become a usual pastime of throwing stones to the pitch and at motorists during and after a match respectively. Such an Act can also criminalize even the verbal threats that are heard in Kenyan stadia and also criminalize the admission of fans into a public place like a stadium without taking adequate security. There should be proper inspection of turnstiles; control rooms; CCTV; emergency and ambulance services; segregation arrangements; seating, gangways and exits; escape lighting; fire fighting and resisting equipment; stewarding; emergency generators and so on.

Let us do more because ultimately, people’s lives are in our hands and the safety of people at the stadia when they go to watch football, should always be supreme.

Post Match: W. Stima (H)

Jonas Paco Nahimana scored a brace as Leopards came from behind to beat Western Stima 2-1. Look out for that word 'brace' and the phrase 'came from behind' as it will appear in many press reports below.

John Munene of MichezoAfrika writes:-

Jonas Nahimana hit a brace as AFC Leopards came from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win against Western Stima at Mumia Complex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The win extended AFC Leopards unbeaten run to 20 matches and keeps them at top of the KPL log with an unbeaten run this season.

This turned out to be one of the best attended AFC Leopards’ matches in Mumias with the Sugar town having been painted Blue. Being a Western Province derby, the match attracted thousands of soccer enthusiasts in the region with majority being in support of AFC Leopards.

The hosts AFC Leopards had the first break on play with Allan Wanga having great run just minutes after play on but his final touch went wide following service from a cross.Despite a brialliant start it was Western Stima who took the lead when Captain Fredrick Shimonyo converted from the spot in the 28th Minute after Ali Bhai was hacked inside the box.

Jonas Nahimama equalized a minute to the break after connecting to Salim Kinje’s free kick with a good header.

The second half had balanced action, the game seemed to be headed for shared spoils until the 80th minute when a goal bound Allan Wanga was fouled inside the box. Jonas Nahimana rose up to the task and did not disappoint to make it 2-1 for AFC leopards.

The win sets AFC Leopards a three points’ apart from second placed Sofapaka who have to wait until Monday for their fixture against Ulinzi Stars.

Rodgers Eshitemi of Futaa writes:-

AFC Leopards continued with their cinderella run in the Kenyan Premier League electrocuting a determined Western Stima 2-1, on Saturday 24 March, at Mumias Sports Complex.

Stima started brightly with Ali Bai troubling Ingwe defense on numerous occasion. 

In the 28th minute Bai's efforts were rewarded winning a penalty that was converted by Fredrick Shimonyo to put the Power-men in the driving seat after Patrick Matasi fouled him in the area.

Three minutes to the break, Rwandese international Jonas Paco Nahimana brought down the Stadium with his sterling header from Salim Kinje’s free-kick to make the score 1-1.

AFC could have extended the lead in the 55^th minute but Bernard Mang’oli’s long range shot went wide.

Nahimana was again on the mark this time scoring from the spot to give Ingwe their fifth win of the season, after Allan Wanga was dropped in the box by Stima defender Robert Kwaye.

With this win, AFC have now extended their lead on the top of the table to three points over second placed Sofapaka who face Ulinzi Stars on Monday 26 March.

Collins Okinyo of Supersport writes:

Jonas Nahimana's brace guided AFC Leopards to their sixth win of the season as they came from behind to beat Western Stima 2-1 in an entertaining match played at Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday. 

Fred Shimonyo’s perfectly curled freekick in the 20th minute left leopards keeper Patrick Matasi flatfooted to give Stima the lead. 

Leopards dusted themselves up and pummelled Stima’s goal in search of an equaliser with Nahimana heading his first of the game two minutes from halftime. 

The second half was a see saw affair as both teams looking for a winner but it was Leopards who had the last laugh as Allan Wanga was brought down in the box forcing referee Damaris Kimani to point to the spot. 

Nahimana calmly slotted in the resultant penalty seven minutes from time to sounds of Isikuti drums and singing from their travelling fans. 

Leopards stay top of the log for the seventh week with 17 points from seven matches. 

"I am not happy with the officiating since Leopards did not deserve their second goal which was a wrong call by the referee," Stima coach Henry Omino told SuperSport.com. 

Kenyanstar writes:-

Playing this home fixture at the Mumias Sports Complex, AFC Leopards rallied from a goal down to stay top of the KPL with a 2-1 win over Western Stima.

Stima went ahead, scoring off a Fred Shimonyo penalty after 'keeper Patrick Matasi fouled Ali Bhai on twenty five minutes.

Rwandese defender Jonas Nahimana restored parity for Leopards, heading home on fourty three minutes as both sides went into the breather tied 1-1.

Second half action saw plenty of end to end action and with eleven minutes to play, Leopards' striker Allan Wanga was brought down in the box, Nahimana scored the resultant penalty that sealed the three points for Leopards, a result that saw them stay unbeaten and top of the table.

Francis Ontomwa of Sunday Standard writes:-

It was Isikuti meet Isikuti at the much hyped Kenyan Premier League (KPL) encounter dubbed ‘ The Western Derby’ staged at Mumias Complex on Saturday.

The match lived up to its billing with fireworks evident from both sides. 

League leaders AFC Leopards continued their unbeaten streak humbling a hard fighting Western Stima 2-1 in an exciting and temperature raising match staged under Mumias’ scorching sun.

Burundian import Jonas Nahimana scored a brace for the victors to cement their place at the top of the table.

A minute of silence was observed before the start of the clash in respect of the fallen Ingwe fanatic who perished a few days ago in the tragic Machakos country bus bomb explosion in Nairobi.

The match started scrappily with both sides losing balls out of play on more scores during the deadly encounter and it was sensational Allan Wanga who provided the first challenge of the clash.

His individual effort from the right flank nearly bore fruits for the hosts, but went wide. 

Captain Ali Bai for Western Stima nearly came close to putting his name on the score sheet in the 24th minute, but his challenge was parried away by in-form Leopards custodian Patrick Matasi.

A minute later Stima’s incessant pressure paid off when Bai was brought down in the penalty by Matasi and playermaker Fred Shimonyo struck home.

In an interesting turn of events, the goal seemed to awaken Leopards and the game’s tempo upped as both tacticians prowled the touch line. Three minutes to half time, Nahimana levelled things for AFC with a fantastic header from a Salim Kinje freekick from the left flank.

On resumption, Stima made early changes to their side that seemed to up their prospects. Veteran striker Mark Sirengo came in for Justin Monda as Alloys Mangi went out for a towering figure, Nelson Simwa.

Simwa combined well with Sirengo, but their efforts went to waste.

Leopards pulled the trigger in the 78th minute when danger man Allan Wanga was fouled in the box by Stima defender Robert Kwaye and Nahimana struck from the spot sending keeper David Juma the wrong way to ensure Ingwe bagged maximum points.

Leopards tactician Jan Koops praised his side for the win, saying he was impressed for extending their unbeaten record.

Pre Match: W. Stima (H)

Collins Okinyo of Supersport predicts a 2-1 win for Leopards as they play home away from home against Western Stima.

AFC Leopards v Western Stima (City Stadium)  - (actually it is Mumias Complex)

Table toppers Leopards dropped two points when they were held by arch rivals Gor Mahia over the weekend but they remained perched at the top with 14 points. 

The gap has been narrowed by Sofapaka and coach Jan Koops will be hoping to react effectively by pulling off another win. 

Allan Wanga, Jimmy Bageya and Mike Barasa will be the men to spearhead Ingwe who must overcome a tough Western Stima who are currently seventh on the log with eight points.

Stima will be hoping for positive results after falling to Sofapaka at home last weekend. 

Prediction: 2-1

Francis Ontomwa of the Standard writes:-

The AFC Leopards-Western Stima Kenya Premier League (KPL) tie dubbed ‘The Western Derby’ promises to cause a stir at Mumias Complex today (Saturday).

The two teams approach this game with different missions but chasing the same prize-three points at stake.

While AFC Leopards will be keen to amass maximum points from the encounter and remain at the helm of the league, Stima will be crossing their fingers that they salvage things for their side after last weekend’s poor show against Sofapaka at their backyard, Bukhungu stadium.

Leopards’ tactician Jan Koops is confident of posting good results in their first assignment at their sponsors’ field.

"This is a big match that we want to approach with a lot of focus. We are putting aside last weekend’s temperatures when we played Gor Mahia and our task now is Stima" he told Feverpitch.

The Dutch tactician baptised Wepukhulu by Ingwe fans will be keen to impress the Western region fan base which is believed to carry the largest lot of the club’s following.

"I am happy that our team is improving by the day, we aren’t going to let down our fans who have stood by us for ages" he added.

The absence defender Amon Muchiri who picked an injury from the previous encounter will be Koop’s greatest worry. Other players who will be out of action due to injuries for Leopards include forward Emmanuel Tostao and fullback Abbas Kwalibaye.

Western Stima on their part have insisted that their preparations over the week put them at a good place to carry the day.

"We have been working very hard throughout our training sessions, and ours will be a strategy to make a comeback" said Stima coach, Henry Omino.

Stima registered their first home loss to the 2009 KPL champions Sofapaka last weekend and this match should provide a reprieve according to the coach.

Dennis Masinde Wandabwa of Futaa speaks to mickey Weche, the Leopards assistant coach and writes:-.

AFC Leopards assistant coach Mickey Weche has urged the club to show consistency in the next couple of weeks to enhance their title prospects.

The club has started the 2012 Kenyan Premier League season in good form, thus far going unbeaten.

Having won four and drawn two of their six matches, they sit pretty atop the KPL.

They will attempt to continue with their good start when they host Western Stima in Mumias, Saturday 24 March 2012 and Weche has urged them to put in consistency, to keep up their title charge.

-The season has started well for us and we are top of the table, plus the players are confident, which is really good.

-We have a tough game against Stima but we have a good squad and I am sure we will do well.

-As the season goes by, we will need to be consistent in our results to ensure we are still in the title race, so that is what we need to work on, Weche told Futaa.com.

Leopards can extend their lead over second placed Sofapaka to three points. Sofapaka play Ulinzi Stars, Monday 26 March 2012.

 

Wandabwa also writes about the line up:-

 

AFC Leopards have made one change to their starting line-up that will face Western Stima today, Saturday 24 March 2012.

Robert Syongo comes in for the injured Amon Muchiri, the only change from the side that drew 0-0 with Gor Mahia in their last league match.

The backline has Syongo, Edwin Wafula, Jonas Nahimana and Eric Masika with Patrick Matasi between the sticks.

Head coach Jan Koops has deployed Salim Kinje, Martin Imbalabala and Bernard Mangoli to manage the midfield in the now popular 4-3-3 formation.

Victor Ochieng has bounced back in the first eleven joining International Allan Wanga and Jimmy Bageya to hunt for goals for Ingwe  

The Western Derby kicks off at 1500 hrs local time.

Patrick Matasi, Robert Syongo, Edwin Wafula, Jonas Nahimana, Eric Masika, Salim Kinje, Martin Imbalambala, Bernard Mangoli, Victor Ochieng, Allan Wanga, Jimmy Bageya

Subs: Barnabas Tiema, Laurent Tumba, Shaban, Sammy Mwangi, Charles Okwemba, Oscar Kadenge, Mike Barasa.

Timothy Olobulu of MichezoAfrika focuses on the unbeaten run of Leopards stretching to nineteen games before they meet Western Stima.

AFC Leopards coach Jan koops says that he is keen extending his unbeaten match  record to 20 when his side faces Western Stima in a Kenyan Premier League match set for Mumias Complex on Saturday.

“Western Stima is a very young side and right now every team is charged to playing and winning against the league leaders. It will not be an easy match but we are also equally prepared for the match. We have gone for 19 games without a loss and  would want to make it 20 this weekend”, said Koops.

The Dutch tactician says that he will have to do with the absence of Amon Muchiri whom he says will commence light training next week. Abbas Kiwaalabye is out for a long duration while young striker Emanuel Tostao also joins the sick list

Koops has urged his charges not to underestimate the powermen saying they are a great side and a hard opponent to crack.

“They play very good attacking football and this is not a team that my boys can underrate. They are also a physical side and this will make the match more interesting”, he adds.
AFC Leopards leads the KPL table standings with 14 points,same as Sofapaka but they have a superior goal difference.

 

Carol Radull of The Star predicts a Leopards win of 2-1.

 

In The Den: Week 11

To follow

Post Match: Gor Mahia (A)

The 71st league meeting between Leopards and Gor Mahia ended in a barren draw but the off field antics dominated the action with play held up for 25 minutes after irate Gor fans took issue with the referee for showing their player a red card.

Here is how the media reported the clash:

James Waindi of Standard reported:-

A local derby that promised much delivered precious little as arch rivals Gor and AFC Leopards played out a goalless draw at the Nyayo National Stadium in a match that had to be stopped for close to 25 minutes due to crowd trouble.

Gor also ended the match with 10 men after the sending off of second half substitute Victor Ali for a dangerous tackle on Amon Muchiri.

Everything was going on well until the 67th minute when referee David Omweno sent off Ali after a dangerous tackle on Muchiri. Omweno and his two assistants Peter Kereini and Gilbert Cheruiyot, were held hostage on the field before they were escorted out of the pitch through gate six by armed police.

It took the Gor players’ convincing techniques to quell their fans anger and allow the match to go on as they blamed the officials for biased officiating and looked determined to stop the proceedings.

Violence spilled outside the stadium after the match with fans of both teams engaging each other in running battles with stones and a number of casualties were reported.

FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya termed the incident as unfortunate and said future derbies between the two sides would be handled by foreign referees.

At least for Gor coach Bobby Ogolla’s men there was no injury-time heartache, having suffered five defeats in a row coming into the match. 

For Leopards, who had numerical advantage their winning run in the league was checked, but their coach Jan Koops still remains unbeaten in the league competition.

Gor coach made four changes on the team that lost 2-0 to champions Tusker in midweek, bringing in Chris Wekesa in place of Collins Omondi, Anthony Akumu in place of Collins Okoth, Kevin Omondi and Rama Salim instead of Victor Ali and Baldwin Ngwa.

Leopards coach Jan Koops on the other hand just made a single change from the team that came from behind to pip Muhoroni Sugar 2-1 in their last league match a week ago, giving international striker Victor Ochieng his first start since he joined the team.

Gor enjoyed early possesion and were generally better in midfield but lacked ideas in the opponent’s box.

Rama Salim tested Leopards custodian Patrick Matasi with a thunderous free kick from 30 yards just after two minutes and three minutes later it was Leopard’s turn as Ochieng found his striking partner Allan Wanga but Wycliffe Kasaya’s timely intervention thwarted the international striker.

Ogolla had to replace Salim in the 34th minute as the diminutive midfielder seemed to be struggling after he clashed with Edwin Baraza in the 16th minute. 

Jimmy Bagaye had Leopard’s best chance of the half in the 43rd minute when he remained in a one-on-one situation with Kasaya, but he shot straight to the hands of the custodian as the sides went to half time tied 0-0.

Ogolla brought in Ali and Moses Odhiambo in the second half in place of Ibrahim Kitawi, and George Midenyo, but could still not breach the tight Leopards defence.

KPL website wrote:-

THE nastiest tackle witnessed in the young Kenyan Premier League season rubbed the shine off one of the best games so far and which, just mercifully, went the full distance after Gor Mahia-leaning hooligans took the law into their hands over the incident.

There was no question whether Gor’s Victor Ali Abondo should have been ejected after a horrific high boot lunge at AFC Leopards’ defender Amon Muchiri in the 66th minute.

When referee Davies Omweno showed Abondo the red card, some reckless supporters of Gor Mahia protested the decision, throwing objects on the pitch. In the end police had to lob tear gas canisters onto the southern-end terraces to disperse the rioting mob.

The game resumed after an over 15-minute break and unsurprisingly ended in the same competitive and entertaining spirit that it had been all afternoon.

Abondo just changed the face of the match in which players played hard but not with malice. Indeed there were plenty of hard tackles and times when men went down; more of Gor Mahia’s than Leopards, in fact.

But when Abondo, who must have been watching from the bench -- before he came on for Ibrahim Kitawi in the 48th minute -- appeared to have ill intent while fouling Eric Masika almost immediately, the referee took note, only verbally cautioning him.

Abondo had used his elbow for a cynical nudge on the Leopards’ defender when both went up for an aerial ball. Later when he came to challenging Muchiri, many cringed as Abondo’s menacing boot studs thumped into the upper thigh of the Leopards’ defender.

Kevin Omondi who had one of the sterling performances for Gor Mahia in the midfield felt the brunt of some severe attention from Leopards’ men, one of which was when Edwin Wafula was stopping him from riding into the box from the left in the 59th minute. Wafula was yellow carded.

And that was not Omondi’s first rough treatment, shared with other Gor teammates including, most especially, Kitawi and the other midfield man Rama Salim.

Salim, in fact got it from the first whistle, the Leopards’ captain, Martin Imbalambala, clattering him inside the first minute.

The Gor Mahia play-maker had received a few other knocks, notably a body shaking one in the 15th minute, before a painful one from Imbalambala in the 21st minute drew referee Omweno’s first yellow card in the 21st minute.

And then Salim did not appear to have the tenacity to continue and was replaced by John Kiplang’at in the 35th minute.

But all this was through some terrific thrilling football; purely because Gor Mahia, the underdogs, fully stood up to the pre-match form team Leopards.

Only the foolish attitude of some players and in the end stupidly reckless trouble makers almost ruined the day.

It was not the referee who prompted the players whose point was none other than putting the game into disrepute with lack of consideration for the well-being of fellow professionals.

In the play itself, plenty of ball possession and excellent distribution by a fantastic Leopards midfield of Imbalambala, Salim “Kinje” Ramadhan, Bernard Mang’oli and Victor Ochieng’ brought out the best of tactical defending by Gor Mahia.

On the counter, Anthony “Teddy” Akumu, Salim and Kevin Omondi retaliated with attacks that kept it an-end-to-end affair, albeit Gor Mahia not benefitting from good use of the ball by their men at the head of the attack, Kitawi and Midenyo.

Alertness in defense was at its admirable best and no team was going to beat the other by exploiting mistakes. It demanded that whoever got an opportunity, he had to force it through and none nearly succeeded against either Wycliffe Kasaya in the Gor Mahia goal or his opposite number Patrick Matasi.

Kevin Omondi had a good shot on target in the 26th minute but Matasi gathered the ball without a problem.

But for Leopards Allan Wanga tried several times, notably in the 35th minute. Kasaya safely stopped the shot after Wanga had connected a Bagaye assist.

In the 40th minute Ramadhan blasted into Kasaya's safe gloves. On 43 minutes, another flowing move by Leopards had Ramadhan again taking the final shot but it did not trouble Kasaya. It was followed by another Bageya effort that Kasaya stopped.

In the 51st minute Bageya broke into the right and just before losing the ball on the goal line, cut back beautifully, a 45 degree cross finding the on-rushing Imbalambala perfectly but the Leopards skipper’s header went above the cross bar.

Abondo had some useful contribution to Gor Mahia, his 54th minute free kick attempt being saved by Matasi.

The crowd trouble interruption had a big effect on the tempo after the restart on 68 minutes. Leopards could not capitalise on playing with a man more than Gor.

But on 79 minutes when 65th minute substitute Mike Baraza was fouled at the edge of the box, Wanga's shot was saved by Kasaya.

Only Kevin Omondi kept going hard at Leopards and when on 88 minutes he was fouled by Rwanda international defender Jonas Nahimana, the free kick by Moses Odhiambo went off target.

TEAMS:

GOR MAHIA - 23. Wycliffe Kasaya: 19. Solomon Nasio (captain), 3. Christopher Wekesa, 15. David Owino, 5. Musa Mohammed, 6. Anthony “Teddy” Akumu, 14. Kevin Omondi, 30. Moses Otieno, 12. George Midenyo (25. Moses Odhiambo, 55’), 21. Rama Salim (11. John Kiplang’at, 35’), 29. Ibrahim Kitawi (10. Victor Ali Abondo, 46’)

Reserves - 1. Frederick Onyango, Gk; 7. Yusuf Juma, 18. Ivan Anguyo, 24. Demonde Selenga

Coach - John “Bobby” Ogolla

AFC LEOPARDS - 1. Patrick Matasi: 5. Edwin Wafula, 14. Amon Muchiri (26. Robert Syongoh), 40. Eric Masika, 17. Jonas Nahimana, 4. Martin Imbalambala (captain), 50. Jimmy Bageya, 22. Bernard Mang’oli, 9. Allan Wanga, 18. Salim “Kinje” Ramadhan, 34. Victor Ochieng’ (11. Mike Baraza, 65’)

Reserves - 19. Barnabas Tiema, Gk; 8. Laurent Tumba, 10. Charles Okwemba, 7. Oscar Kadenge, 12. Augustine Etemesi

Coach - Jan Koops [The Netherlands]

* * * *

Referee - Davies Omweno

Assistant ref - Peter Kiereini

Asst ref - Gilbert Cheruiyot

Reserve ref - Nasur Doka

Match commissioner - John Ngunjiri

Futaa wrote:-

Ten-man Gor K’Ogalo Mahia were held to a goalless draw by visiting AFC Ingwe Leopards in their Kenyan Premier League match played on Sunday 18 March, at the Nyayo National Stadium.  

The match started on a high with K’Ogalo’s Rama Salim testing AFC Ingwe Leopards’ keeper Patrick Matasi with a well taken 5^th minute free-kick. 

Matasi proved his height tapping the ball over the woodwork, for a corner that was eventually wasted.

In the 12^th minute, Rama Salim was embroiled in a clash that saw him limp out of the pitch.  He returned four minutes later but was to come out in the 35^th minute, ushering in John Kiplangat.

The match went into the mid-match break with the teams holding a uniform ball possession.

Coming into the second half, AFC, led by Allan Wanga and Jimmy Bagaye lodged a spirited attack on the K’Ogalo defense, which was met in equal measure by counter moves by Ali Abondo and Moses Odhiambo, who had come in for Ibrahim Kitawi  and George Midenyo in the 49^th and 59^th minutes respectively.

In the 66^th minute, the direction of the game was changed after Gor substitute Abondo was shown a red-card for driving a high-boot into Amon Muchiri.  

As Muchiri was being stretchered out of the pitch, an agitated Gor fans started throwing items onto the pitch, their anguish clearly directed at centre referee Davies Omweno. 

The match was stopped for fifteen minutes as police strove to restore calm, at some point being forced to throw tear-gas canisters at the uncountable K’ogalo fans. 

It took the intervention of Gor Mahia players to calm down their fans and allow the match to continue, albeit on an anti-climax following the departure of most fans from the venue.

The match closed with none of the two sides finding the back of the other’s net. 

MichezoAfrika wrote:-

Following ugly scenes that dominated Sunday’s derby between Gor Mahia and arch rivals AFC Leopards , Football Kenya Federation has called for an emergency meeting to address the issue urgently with a joint statement expected from the soccer chiefs in Kenya.

The meeting is expected to take place in Nairobi starting 10:00AMand will be attended by KPL officials.

At the same time Gor Mahia’s executive office has announced that they will later on Monday hold a press briefing to bring to fore chore issues in relation to the same.

The club officials say they are disturbed by the turn of events and are holding an emergency meeting to discuss the events of the day.

However, Gor Mahia’s vice chairman Faiz Ochieng has pointed an accusing finger to the match referee Davies Omweno saying the red card was the cause of the whole drama and the referee’s body should be held accountable for the mess.

“This whole issue was started by the referee’s red card. As a club we will hold an emergency meeting and will later address the media but  we call on our fans to exercise patience at this time  because Sunday incidents are not good for the face of our Kenyan soccer.” He said.

MichezoAfrika also quoted John Bobby Ogolla shockingly glossing over the fan behavious and blaming the referee. The report read:

Gor Mahia manager John Bobby Ogolla is an angry man after the match against AFC Leopards on Sunday afternoon. Ogolla not only cited the red card situation but also other countless tackles on his players which left two of them substituted with injuries.

"The referee messed up the game. He came with a fixed mind and he was very inconsistent. The referees should really pull up their socks because this is not where we should be going. Rama Salim was intentionally kicked, Kelvin Omondi was also hacked down twice heading to goal, Kitawi was also hacked and we were forced to sub him, all these went un questioned by the referee", he says.

"The fans are human beings and we cannot blame them. Though that is not the kind of action we should resort to, they were irked by the referee who was constantly frustrating us.", he adds.

Ogolla has also blamed the police for firing tear gas at the Gor fans saying that it made the atmosphere worse.

"Were the Gor fans fighting themselves? Then why did they blast tear gas only on the Gor Fans? Police should not have fired the tear gas because that only worked to worsen the situation. I am very disappointed", he says.

On the match, Ogolla says that he is content with the team as it has been building up step by step each day.

"I am encouraged by the boys. Step by step we are coming up and we are getting better. All in all  I am delighted with the point because it is better than none", he adds

Odindo Ayieko, of the Daily Nation wrote:-

Gor Mahia goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya and captain Moses Odhiambo averted what could have been an abandoned Kenyan Premier League derby as K’Ogalo and AFC Leopards played to a barren draw on Sunday.

The hype ahead of the Gor vs AFC game was massive, the crowd big and the excitement at its best but the game failed to live to its expectations.

Referee Davies Omweno sent off Victor Ali with 20 minutes of the game remaining and Gor fans, unamused, started hurling stones into the pitch.

Play was stopped for 15 minutes, it seemed the game won’t continue but Kasaya showed leadership advising players to collect the stones from the pitch and ask the fans to calm down. It worked.

Matchwise, there was nothing to write home about in this 71st derby as both sides played a cautious game.

There were no chances, Gor were stronger in the midfield, Leopards were more attack-oriented trying their luck from the wings.

Allan Wanga who has been on form could not go past David Owino and Musa Mohammed in defence.

It was Gor’s fourth point, after three successive defeats in the hands of Muhoroni Youth, Karuturi Sports and Tusker.

Eric Masika, a former Gor Mahia player giving his heart out at the center of the Leopards defence.

Gor coach John “Bobby” Ogolla and Leopards tactician Jan Koops were fine with the result.

“We had gone through so much problems but today the players played their hearts out. Im fine with the result. Thanks to the boys,’’ said Ogolla.

And Koops said: “It’s a derby, Gor is a big team and they gave their best. Leopards too worked their best. I’m happy.’’

Kenyanstar wrote:-

The Nairobi Derby pitting great rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards has in recent days been played in good cheer, amidst pomp, colour and good natured fan banter. Flashing back to 2011 and many will recall Gor's 3-1 victory over Leopards in their first leg KPL fixture. Reactons on the day were measured, Gor fans taking pride in their result while Leopards fans, though crestfallen , were sure to bounce back come the second. Bounce back they did, beating Gor 3-0 in the return leg. The responses from the Gor side on the day was that they were beaten hands down.

When the two sides met in the 2011 FKL Cup semi final, a section of unruly fans caused trouble in the stands, and the match was eventually called off. The authorities would later award the game to Gor. Violent scenes would again visit yesterday's derby when, after a Gor player had been sent off, a section of fans walked out while others hurled projectiles onto the pitch. This may be a form of expressing disappointment but there surely exist better, more humane, more diplomatic channels of doing so.

It is quite disappointing when fan trouble disrupts the good cheer and atmosphere of matches of this caliber. Given that a team may be going through a lean spell is no justification for fans to resort to violence as was witnessed on Sunday.

All the pre-match hype, anticipations and expectations were negated by the violence which took the gloss off what had been billed to be a great afternoon of football. So, as the two teams gave a rather lacklustre display of football, one would have hoped that the activity on the stands would have added color to the tie but sadly this was not to be as the incidences of fan trouble witnessed on Sunday took the gloss off the Nairobi Derby, causing unnecessary pain and injury to many.

THE LOG

 

Pre Match: Gor Mahia (A)

Tom Osanjo of Nation writes a historical article:-

A word of caution to ‘Camp Ingwe’ ahead of the ‘in-laws’ derby tomorrow: Gor Mahia is wounded and is seriously looking for someone to unleash their wrath on.

And the gods of football must have been on a very generous mood towards Gor by giving them their second victims in the KPL – the perennial irritants of AFC Leopards.

At present, the statistics on the Gor side are worrying and it is only the supporters with the K’Ogalo blood flowing in their veins that dare raise their heads and say it is not over until the fat lady sings.

A single win in the league followed by dismal performances and being booted out of a continental cup in the bargain does not really serve as an inspiration. Or does it?

No matter the form, Gor players have always known the history, the pride and the aspirations of the followers – the ‘Green Army’ – and have always risen to the occasion.

And although entering tomorrow’s match with conventional wisdom dictating that they are the underdogs, Gor fans want their players to know they are behind them 100 per cent.

While at it, they can as well throw conventional wisdom out the window and get down to the more important task of beating their old foes.

On the young Gor players rests the huge task of carrying on a fine tradition of ball wizards who have donned the green jersey in the past.

Who can forget the superb goals scored by the late Sammy “Jogoo” Onyango (now deceased) against AFC goalkeeper Mahmoud “Kenya One” Abbas at will? (Correction: John Busolo was in goal)

During a memorable one in the August or thereabouts of 1986, in the second leg match at City Stadium, Jogoo released a left footer well out of the box which left Abbas mouthing obscenities at his defenders.

Barely 10 minutes later, Jogoo was at it again and from the same spot. One would have paid a king’s ransom to hear Abbas one more time. Or who can forget Laban Otieno, the only player ever to score a hat-trick in the ‘masemeji’ derby?

Perhaps it would do a lot of good to the current Gor players if, on the day Otieno scored the hat-trick, K’ogalo hammer Ingwe 5-1. ‘Mission Impossible’? Not really; these boys can very well repeat the feat.

Another player Gor should well remember is John “Zangi” Okello, the ball juggler par excellence whose exploits saw him famously cross over to AFC where he was promptly given the Bukusu name of Wanyonyi.

Onto this rich legacy add the peculiarly Gor Mahia trait of the fiercely loyal, boisterous and entertaining supporters and all one can tell their opponents is that, as soon as the battle is joined tomorrow afternoon, be afraid. Very afraid.

Maybe one song the ‘Green Army’ normally sings will serve as a warning to AFC. In the song, Gor supporters lament that all the teams they have always been drawn against are minnows and that it is time someone brought to them Barcelona FC.

So, beat the war drums, take your seats and leave it to the people to suggest who the best in this contest is.

The Daily Nation also uses the statistics provided by your favourite blog and Claws Trust.

Collins Okinyo of Supersport predicts a 2-2 draw:-

Gor Mahia vs AFC Leopards (Live on SuperSport 9 East, Nyayo) STAR MATCH: 

Gor Mahia has lost its last three league matches with the poor results costing Coach Anaba Awono his job.

Though the team is easy on the eye, goals have been scarce with the players providing new coach Bobby Ogolla with a quandary of selections to get a winning team. 

K’Ogalo are 14th on the log with three points though myth has it that when they meet their arch rivals AFC Leopards, the form of either side does not matter and that the result of the game is determined by which team wants it more on the day. 

While Gor has struggled, Leopards have been the team to watch with the team winning four out of five matches so far. 

Ingwe who are on top of the league table with 13 points, have achieved the feat by sheer hard work and determination combined with tactical prowess by Dutch coach Jan Koops.

In Allan Wanga, Victor Ochieng, Patrick Matasi and Jimmy Bagaye, the club has finally found the men that can carry their hopes of reclaiming the elusive league title. 

Prediction: 2-2

Carol Radull of The Star predicts a 3-1 win for Leopards.

My Prediction: K’Ogalo 1 – 3 Ingwe

Interesting indeed that these two age-old rivals are meeting at a time when their fortunes are so different. Gor Mahia are struggling and there’s no flowering the situation. K’Ogalo have managed just one win this season in all competitions; an opening day league victory over Thika United. They opened the season with a loss to Tusker in the DSTV/Supersport Cup before the Thika victory; then went on to lose home and away to Ferroviario du Maputo in the Confederations Cup; to Muhoroni Youth, Karuturi Sports and finally to Tusker this week. It’s awful. The team “disbanded” their technical bench last week but now interim coach Bobby Ogollah has admitted he’s in way over his head. On Thursday he appealed to the club to hire him an assistant. Tragic.

However K’Ogalo did play well in the first half against Tusker on Wednesday but it wasn’t enough. Ingwe on the other hand are top of the league and unbeaten in their last 18 league matches; all under coach Jan Koops. Allan Wanga is on fire literally scoring in just about every match. Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi let in his first goal this season in last week’s 2-1 victory over Muhoroni. But this is a derby and anything can happen. Mentally I know Gor will want to win this game if they are to ever take off this season; while for AFC it will be a true test considering the only losses under Koop’s belt have been last July’s league loss to Gor (although Koops had only been in charge for 3 days) and the loss to Gor in the FKL Cup semi finals. Mmmmh. I however feel AFC are more mentally prepared.

Francis Wadegu of The Star also writes:-

Fifteen years ago this was an encounter that could have been billed as a potential title decider. However, tomorrow when Gor Mahia host AFC Leopards in a Kenya Premier League tie their targets could not be more diverse. For K’Ogallo, who have lost their last three league matches in which they have not scored, anything short of three points could be disastrous as they could find themselves bottom of the table on Monday while Leopards need only a point to stay top. Having, lost their last encounter on Wednesday, falling 2-0 to defending champions Tusker was not the ideal preparation for such a high octane clash.

While coach John Bobby Ogolla, who was in charge for the first time after spending only a week training the club, pointed a finger at his defense for the defeat against Tusker what was not lost in all that is the fact in five competitive games since the two goals against Thika in the opening league weekend, Gor are yet to hit the back of the net.

With striker Hugo Nzoka still in the recovery room and Demonde Selenge and Edwin Lavatsa yet to reach hit peak form k’Ogallo have had to rely on Cameroonian Baldwin Ngwa for goals and he is yet to deliver. No such problems for the league leaders though. In five outings they have conceded none and have now scored eight goals in those matches, the highest in the division.

With all their strikers etching names on the scoresheet, Leopards’ coach Jan Koops has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Alan Wanga, Victor Ochieng have inked their names on the scorers list this season Koops is also quick to point out that current form counts for nothing in such encounters. “Gor will no doubt want to win this match because they have not been getting good results lately so we expect a tough match tomorrow and we will be up for it,” he said.

Leopards have no major injury worries with Mike Barasa expected to be back in action with only young striker Emmanuel Tostao a long term absentee. K’Ogallo meanwhile apart form missing Nzoka will be without winger Kevin Ochieng who is still nursing a hamstring injury.
James Waindi of the Standard took a different angle by talking to the father of AFC Leopards' Victor Ochieng who happened to be one of the goal scorers of Gor Mahia against Leopards!

Maurice 'Sonyi' Ochieng' is a living legend in Gor Mahia’s history, having steered the 12 times Kenyan Premier League winners to the title in 1976 with an unbeaten record courtesy of his record 26 goals.

Sonyi has also steered K’Ogalo to the Cecafa title and the Mandela Cup while on the team’s technical bench and admits that the club has a special place in his heart.

He is, however, worried that his own blood could put the team he loves to the sword when AFC Leopards and Gor renew their rivalry on Sunday in a league derby at the Nyayo National Stadium.

His son Victor Ochieng’ in January opted to join Leopards instead of his father’s preferred choice Gor, who had been chasing his signature even while he was still with the national team in Tanzania for the regional tournament.

The striker has rediscovered his goal scoring touch that saw him net 11 goals in 15 matches for Chemelil Sugar in the second leg of the season last year. 

He single handedly broke Muhoroni Youth’s resistance last Sunday after coming off the bench to set up Allan Wanga for the equalising goal before scoring the winner to give Ingwe a laboured win over the league debutants.

"Victor is a very good striker and I am worried he could be the one punishing Gor on Sunday. His decision to join AFC Leopards is still okay with me. 

"When he told me he had made up his mind on joining Leopards I told him I would support him fully and I believe he has a bright future," said Sonyi.

He added: "My record of 26 goals in a season still lives on 36 years later, but I believe my son can break it. He can still follow my footsteps even at AFC Leopards, he doesn’t have to necessarily be at Gor Mahia, but he has to ensure he is in the starting line-up because strikers can’t score goals from the bench."

Sonyi said anything was possible at Sunday’s derby, but noted that AFC Leopards were the favourites, given their quality recruitment and good coach.

The two sides meet at a time when Gor is experiencing a downward spiral, winning a single match in six attempts, while Leopards have won four out of five and are yet to lose any match. 

Gor also expelled the entire technical bench last week.

However, as history tells, the weaker side between the rivals always rise to the occasion when they clash and it will be interesting to see if Gor can achieve that on Sunday.

Robin Toskin of the Standard was in a quick rejoinder to the retort of Gor Mahia speaking to Allan Wanga.

The idea that the in-form team between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards loses the derby is pub banter, according to Ingwe’s red-hot striker Allan Wanga.

"I have always known that you only talk of a result after 90 minutes," Wanga said ahead of their Sunday clash in the Kenyan Premier League.

Gor Mahia midfielder Collins Okoth appeared to goad Leopards when he was quoted saying they fear nobody in reference to Ingwe’s imperious form that has seen them rake in 13 points from a possible 15.

"We are Gor Mahia and we fear no one. We are ready for battle. We want to have the bragging rights in the derby," Okoth told a local daily on Thursday.

He added: "Leopards good form does not necessarily make them favourites. We are going into the match as equals."

Wanga, who will be playing in his first eternal derby said: "Okoth is entitled to his opinion. As for us we will approach the game like any other."

The former Tusker and Petro Atletico (Angola) hit man shrugged off the notion he is a marked man and would find it difficult against Gor Mahia defenders given the likely VIP treatment he could be given on Sunday.

Van Persie

"Van Persie (Robin) has been Arsenal’s main man up front yet nothing seems to stop him from scoring. So, because I want to rank among the best strikers it is up to me to find a way of scoring. However, it will also depend on how the coach wants us to approach the game."

Leopards are the overwhelming favourites going into the fixture as Gor Mahia have now lost five competitive matches with the latest being their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tusker.

K’Ogalo coach John Bobby Ogolla insisted in the aftermath of the loss that he was encouraged by the team’s first half performance and the attitude of the fans.

"They (fans) were incredibly supportive when we played Tusker. I thought the boys too gave a good performance. It indicated they have the hunger and will to succeed," Ogolla said.

He added: "We are in a crash programme to improve their physical condition. We are also trying to motivate them. That is what they need now. You will see some changes against Leopards on Sunday."